Compare the2026 Lexus RZVS 2025 BMW i4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RZ are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW i4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RZ are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The i4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Lexus RZ’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the BMW i4 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the RZ and i4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the RZ Premium/Luxury/F Sport has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The i4’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the RZ and the i4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the i4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the i4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 14th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 8th.

As tested in Motor Trend the RZ 450e electric motors is faster than the i4 eDrive40 electric motor:

The RZ can travel longer on a full charge than the i4 on a full charge:

For better traction, the RZ has larger tires than the i4 (F:235/60R18 & R:255/55R18 vs. 225/50R18).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RZ is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the i4.

For better maneuverability, the RZ’s turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the i4’s (36.8 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Lexus RZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the BMW i4.

The RZ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The i4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RZ has .4 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom and 3.3 inches more rear legroom than the i4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RZ’s rear seats recline. The i4’s rear seats don’t recline.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 24% lower rating, BMW is ranked 10th.

The RZ’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The i4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RZ’s headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the i4’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The i4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the i4.

The RZ has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The i4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The i4’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.